Premier division: ten key points to watch for this weekend
1. Garnacho and Walker poised for a fresh battle
A Manchester reunion might be in the offing when Burnley's Kyle Walker faces the Blues' Alejandro Garnacho in Lancashire. The winger is finding his feet in west London after his close-season transfer from Old Trafford and showcased his talents versus Wolverhampton prior to the international break. His assist for Pedro Neto mixed rapid acceleration with a flawless along-the-deck delivery. His contribution for Malo Gusto entailed cutting inside before dinking a cross toward the far post. His joyous moment with Neto, mirroring his previous embrace with Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund, was a testament of the speed at which circumstances change. The previous occasion Garnacho took on Walker? Back when the former netted for United in the cup final win over Manchester City.
Burnley versus Chelsea, Saturday afternoon 12:30 PM (start times GMT)
2. Semenyo crucial to halting Bournemouth's decline
Antoine Semenyo is attracting the full rumour-mill attention due to a alleged £65m release clause for a prospective January departure, the gossip columns setting him up for promotion out of the Premier League's average tier. It is to be expected for a winger with six goals and three assists who is delightful to watch. Still, his side are in an tricky spot, having engaged in a body swap: it is the bottom-half team West Ham who arrive on back-to-back victories, while Bournemouth have lost seven to one over two games in their past two games after an strong opening to the season. Semenyo was denied from the penalty spot by Emi Martínez in their 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa but facing a defensive unit without a clean sheet since August may prove the ideal tonic.
Bournemouth against West Ham, Saturday 3:00 PM
The striker a left-field option for the Three Lions
It seemed intriguing to listen to Thomas Tuchel reference Danny Welbeck repeatedly throughout the international break despite the fact that the Brighton striker turns 35 next week. “Even without having met him, I understand what he could provide,” commented the England manager. “He can be a reserve for Harry [Kane] in a quite orthodox striker position.” Having won the most recent of his 42 caps in 2018, it's entirely possible that Welbeck might be selected to the World Cup provided he manages to sustain his scoring performances. Once of Manchester United and Arsenal attacker can claim more goals compared to any English player in the Premier League this season with six and is eager to boost that total when Brighton host Brentford this weekend.
Brighton against Brentford, Saturday afternoon three o'clock
Ryan Sessegnon needed as playmaker and scorer
Sessegnon's story has provided some comfort to Fulham's inconsistent start. The former Tottenham man, who came back to his boyhood club last year after five challenging years in north London, is now a regular starter, operating on the left side with the injured Antonee Robinson. The issue? With two goals, he is their leading marksman in the Premier League alongside Harry Wilson. The Mexican striker, their primary attacker in the last term, has bagged one goal while Rodrigo Muniz is unavailable for an extended period owing to a hamstring operation. Sessegnon must also being required to contribute as an assist provider in place of Robinson, who provided ten setups in the previous campaign. Fulham's next four fixtures feature three among the best five plus Crystal Palace, who have let in merely nine strikes in the Premier League so far. Trouble awaits for the club that have built a reputation for consistency in the middle.
Fulham against Sunderland, Saturday afternoon 3pm
The occasion for Alexander Isak to perform for the Reds
The debate regarding Virgil van Dijk's disallowed goal against Manchester City failed to mask Liverpool's shortcomings on the day as they lost to loss number seven in 10 games. Arne Slot's team must have a sustained recovery to muscle into the championship chase from this position, along with a major improvement in form, and the possibility presents itself as seven out of their following ten top-flight fixtures facing teams presently in the lower half of the table. The risk is obvious from Nottingham Forest, the single club to hand a defeat on their own turf on the champions the previous campaign, however it's not just Liverpool's display when facing long balls and fast breaks that is under scrutiny. Now is the occasion that Alexander Isak to perform for Liverpool. The expensive signing has not played in domestic action over four weeks following a groin injury when making his second appearance in the lineup in four days in Europe triumph abroad. The striker came back as a substitute in Sweden's reverse by Switzerland but was rested Tuesday's dead rubber versus Slovenia to secure his availability for the upcoming World Cup knockout rounds. A booking during the game could have made him ineligible. The striker could be short of|lacking|deficient
